a life

They’re alive!

My de-chloraminator hasn’t arrived yet but as of last week, I think my plants are done melting for the most part. I’m seeing new growth and even a few that melted down to nubbins are starting to sprout new growth. For example my Vallisneria spiralis ‘Leopard’ arrived as a multi-leafed foot-long plant and melted down to maybe 2 inches of 3 leaves. I considered throwing it out, giving it up for goners, but in one week, I’ve observed 2 new baby leaves, one about 2 inches now, and the other 1 inch.

Another, the Rotala indica, melted down to just stems. I left them because the stems were green and sturdy. Now they all have new growth at the top of about 1/2 a centimeter. I guess everybody just needed some time to adjust.

The only plants certainly gone with no traces remaining are the Bacopa caroliniana and Ludwigia repens. They were ones that the Internet all agreed were great for beginners. Grow like weeds. Will take over your tank. Will grow even in the crappiest conditions.

The growing plants are so cool to view that I’m holding off on adding any creatures. It’s like instead of having an aquarium of fish, I have an aquatic garden. They don’t do anything but I just like sitting there and staring at ’em. Some aquatic plants grow noticeably fast and it’s encouraging to see that they have adjusted to the environment I’ve set up. So far, I’ve done weekly water changes of about 1 or 2 gallons. It’s not much but it gives me enough to water my regular plants and then I dose my aquarium with fertilizer afterwards.